Frame and trim rings for underbed hitch mounting system

ABSTRACT

The mounting system may be utilized for towing vehicles wherein the mounting system may selectively accommodate either a fifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch. The mounting system may include a structural frame member including at least one rail capable of being connected to a vehicle frame, wherein the rail includes at least one socket. The socket may be engaged with a receiving member, wherein the receiving member may be engaged with a leg of a fifth wheel hitch. A mid rail may be connected to the rails and may include a hitch ball socket that is capable of engagement with a hitch. Also provided is an underbed hitch mounting system having at least one socket and receiving member exposed above a bed of a vehicle. The system includes trim and ring brackets configured to cover the exposed socket and receiving members along the bed of the vehicle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/174,388, entitled, “FRAME AND TRIM RINGS FOR UNDERBEDHITCH MOUNTING ASSEMBLY,” filed Jun. 11, 2015 which is incorporated byreference herein.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is generally related to a towing apparatus and,more particularly, to an underbed hitch mounting system. Moreparticularly, this disclosure is directed to an improved structuralframe system and trim rings for an underbed hitch mounting system

BACKGROUND

Many vehicles are designed to transport freight, goods, merchandise,personal property, and other such cargo. Often, a hitch assembly isutilized to connect a towed vehicle or trailer to a towing vehicle, suchas a truck for example, to increase the capacity to transport goods.Many types of coupling devices have been developed for providing thisconnection between a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle.

It is well known to utilize a trailer hitch to connect a trailer to atowing vehicle. There are many different types of trailer hitches thatmay be attached to the towing vehicle in a variety of ways, depending onthe type of hitch to be used. Some of the most common types of hitchesinclude gooseneck, fifth wheel, front mount, and the like. Often, thetype of hitch used to connect a trailer and a vehicle is determined bythe size, shape and other features of the trailer. For example, largetrailers such as semi trailers and campers often require a fifth wheelhitch, whereas, small and midsized trailers, such as boat trailers, arebetter suited for gooseneck trailer hitches. Typically, trailers areconnected to a towing vehicle by way of a ball hitch secured to thevehicle and a ball socket coupling mechanism on the trailer that mountsover the ball and thereby allows for the trailer to pivot behind thetowing vehicle.

Due to the size and weight of many trailers, towing a trailer may causeunsafe conditions for the towing vehicle, such as fishtailing or otherunsafe effects. To avoid these unwanted effects, it is preferable toevenly balance and distribute the weight of the trailer over the wheelsof the towing vehicle. This is best accomplished by connecting the hitchto the frame or base of the towing vehicle, near the vehicle's center ofgravity. Accordingly, fifth wheel and gooseneck hitches mounted topickup trucks are often connected to the truck frame underneath the bedof the truck.

Traditional fifth wheel hitches include a head assembly for receiving aking pin on a trailer, a base having a plurality of legs, and one ormore mounting rails. The mounting rails may be permanently fixed to theframe of a vehicle, such as a pickup truck. For example, the mountingrails may be connected between two portions of a pickup truck frameunderneath the truck bed. The mounting rails may include a plurality ofholes for receiving the legs of the fifth wheel hitch.

Corresponding openings may be cut in the truck bed and aligned with theholes in the mounting rails. The legs of the fifth wheel hitch may beconnected to holes in the mounting rails through the openings in thetruck bed, thereby securing the fifth wheel hitch to the frame of thetruck. When the fifth wheel hitch is not in use, the legs may bedisconnected from the holes in the rails and the hitch may be removedfrom the bed of the truck. Caps may be placed over the holes to allowthe truck bed to be used for other purposes.

Traditional gooseneck hitches also mount to a pickup truck frame,beneath the bed of a truck. A gooseneck hitch is designed for use in apickup truck similar to a fifth wheel. The difference is that thegooseneck uses a ball and coupler verses a kingpin and pin receiver.Gooseneck hitches include a mounting plate configured to connect to theframe of a truck, a receptacle in the mounting plate configured toreceive a ball hitch, and a hitch ball removably connected to thereceptacle and configured to engage a coupling member of the trailer. Anopening in the bed of the truck is aligned with the receptacle in themounting plate, allowing the hitch ball to connect to the receptaclethrough the opening in the truck bed. The hitch balls themselves aretypically removable or retractable so that when the hitch is not in use,the hitch ball may be removed or retracted when not in use, so as not toobstruct the bed of the pick-up truck in any significant manner.

Towing vehicles are generally arranged to accommodate either a fifthwheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch, but not both. To convert a towingvehicle from accommodating a fifth wheel hitch to a gooseneck hitch orvice versa is time and labor intensive and inefficient. Furthermore,both fifth wheel hitches and gooseneck hitches are preferably mounted tothe vehicle frame near the vehicle's center of gravity. However, sincefifth wheel hitches and gooseneck hitches use different mountingconfigurations, traditionally only one hitch can occupy this location.

Some underbed structural bodies are made by components that increasetime to market and have higher tooling costs. Additionally, somevehicles, such as light duty trucks that may not be equipped with aframe configured for a 5^(th) wheel hitch or gooseneck attachment maynot be easily configured to receive support frame components as thelayout of the available vehicle structure may not allow for particularstrength of configured components. Known designs are described by U.S.Pat. Nos. 7,793,968 and 7,828,317. Further, examples of these designsmay be found in commonly owned patents including U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/739,076, entitled, “UNDERBED HITCH MOUNTING SYSTEM,” filedJun. 15, 2015 which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/790,134, entitled “UNDERBED HITCH MOUNTING SYSTEM,” filed Mar. 8,2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,067,468 which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/609,062, entitled “UNDERBED HITCH MOUNTINGSYSTEM,” filed Oct. 30, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,414,009 which claimsbenefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/197,732,entitled “UNDERBED HITCH MOUNTING SYSTEM,” filed on Oct. 30, 2008, whichare all hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference.

These patents describe “H” frame structures with integrated castings andsafety chain/5^(th) wheel pucks. The casting designs are either with anintegrated safety chain/5^(th) wheel mounting system or are separatefrom the castings along with the use of square or rectangular shapedtube mill standard tubing to connect the center gooseneck with the foursafety chain mounts. These castings are usually expensive and have along lead time for tooling.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for an improved apparatus fortowing vehicles that allow for selectively accommodating either a fifthwheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch that reduces cost and time formanufacturing.

Further, underbed structural frames may be exposed to the bed portion ofa vehicle. The configuration of the bed liner or contours of the vehiclebed may hamper bed usage by damaging cargo.

Therefore, the disclosed embodiments may solve the problems of the priorart and includes an assembly that may selectively cover exposed portionsof the underbed structural frames.

SUMMARY

An underbed hitch mounting system capable of being connected to avehicle frame is described. The mounting system may be utilized fortowing vehicles wherein the mounting system may selectively accommodateeither a fifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch. The mounting system maybe an apparatus for attaching either a fifth wheel trailer hitch or agooseneck trailer hitch to a bed of a vehicle.

The underbed hitch mounting system comprises a structural frame memberoperably connectable to a frame of a vehicle under a load bed of thevehicle. The structural frame member includes a first rail and a secondrail mount. Each rail mount having a pair of rail members extendingtherefrom and inserted into the first and second rail mounts. A mid railconnected to the first and second rail mounts. A socket positioned oneach of the rail members, each socket engageable with a receivingmember. A hitch ball socket positioned on the mid rail, the hitch ballsocket engageable with a hitch. The rail members may be made from atleast one of bar stock, welded tubing and sheet metal. The rail mountsmay have a generally rectangular cross section and the mid rail may havea generally C-shaped cross section that extends between the rail mounts.The mid rail and first and second rail mounts are monolithically formed.A base plate may extend under the mid rail and may extend along at leasta portion of the first and second rail mounts. The first and second railmounts may be generally C-shaped frame members and the base plate may bea generally C-shaped frame member that extends under the mid rail andunder and within the first and second rail mounts. The mid rail andfirst and second rail mounts may include a top portion that is generallymonolithically formed and a bottom portion that is generallymonolithically formed wherein the top portion is formed separate fromthe bottom portion and then attached to the bottom portion. The top andbottom portions may be made of folded sheet metal and may include a baseplate that extends under and within the mid rail and under a portion ofthe first and second rail mounts.

In one embodiment, provided is a trim and cover assembly to used withthe underbed hitch mounting system, the trim and cover assemblycomprises a trim member and a cover member that is selectively attachedto the trim member. The trim and cover member may be installed along theload bed of a vehicle to cover at least one of the socket and hitch ballsocket of the underbed hitch mounting system.

In another embodiment, provided is a trim and cover assembly to beinstalled along a bed of a vehicle comprises a trim member and a covermember that is selectively attached to the trim member. The trim membermay be attached to a corrugated portion of the bed of the vehicle. Thetrim may include a trim profile and the cover member may include a coverprofile wherein the trim profile and the cover profile are complimentaryto a corrugated profile of the bed of the vehicle. The trim memberinclude an upper flange, wherein a portion of the upper flange may bepositioned along a top surface of the bed and a lower flange wherein aportion of the lower flange may be positioned along a bottom surface ofthe bed. The flange may include a space between the upper flange and thelower flange. The trim member may include a recessed wall having a firstheight along a first portion of the perimeter and a second height alonga second portion of the perimeter such that the second height is greaterthan the first height. Further, space between the upper flange and thelower flange may be positioned along the recessed wall along the portionwith the second height. The trim member may include a recessed wallhaving a first height along a first portion of the perimeter and asecond height along a second portion of the perimeter such that thesecond height is greater than the first height. The trim member may besnap fit within an opening in the bed of the vehicle. The cover may besnap fit to the trim member. The trim member may include an aperture toreceive at least one of the socket and hitch socket. A center portion ofthe trim member may be raised to follow the contours of the bed. Thetrim member and cover may include generally symmetrical profiles. Thetrim member may include a flap portion that extends between a pluralityof raised portions of the bed of the vehicle.

In one embodiment, provided is an underbed hitch mounting system thatcomprises a structural frame member operably connectable to a frame of avehicle under a load bed of the vehicle. The structural frame membercomprises a first rail mount and a second rail mount. A first railmember and a second rail member may extend from and be inserted into thefirst rail mount. A mid rail may be connected to the first and secondrail mounts. A socket may be positioned on each of the first and secondrail members, each socket engageable with a receiving member. A hitchball socket may be positioned on the mid rail, the hitch ball socketengageable with a hitch wherein the first and second rail members may bemade from at least one of bar stock and sheet metal.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Objects and advantages together with the operation of the invention maybe better understood by reference to the following detailed descriptiontaken in connection with the following illustrations, wherein:

FIG. 1A illustrates a top perspective view of a structural frame of anunderbed hitch mounting system in a embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1B illustrates a bottom perspective view of the structural frame ofthe underbed hitch mounting system of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C illustrates a cross sectional view of the structural frame ofthe underbed hitch mounting system of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A illustrates a top perspective view of a structural frame of anunderbed hitch mounting system in a embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2B illustrates a bottom perspective view of the structural frame ofthe underbed hitch mounting system of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C illustrates a cross sectional view of the structural frame ofthe underbed hitch mounting system of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A illustrates a top perspective view of a structural frame of anunderbed hitch mounting system in a embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3B illustrates a bottom perspective view of the structural frame ofthe underbed hitch mounting system of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C illustrates a cross sectional view of the structural frame ofthe underbed hitch mounting system of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the structural frameof the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention;

FIG. 4B illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a frame mountbracket of the structural frame of the underbed hitch mounting system;

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F, 5G, and 5H illustrate various schematicside views of alternate embodiments of the structural frame of theunderbed hitch mounting system of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of embodiments of an underbedhitch mounting system mounted to a frame of a vehicle;

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of embodiments of the underbedhitch mounting system of the present invention;

FIG. 8A illustrates a side cross sectional view of an embodiment of thestructural frame of the underbed hitch mounting system of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8B illustrates a side cross sectional view of a portion of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of the structural frame of theunderbed hitch mounting system attached to the underside of a vehiclebed;

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of embodiments of a trim memberand a cover for the underbed hitch mounting system of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of embodiments of the trim memberfor the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention;

FIG. 12A illustrates a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the trimring for the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention;

FIG. 12B illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the trimring for the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention;

FIG. 12C illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the trimring for the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention;

FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of embodiments of the trim memberand cover for the underbed hitch mounting system of the presentinvention;

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of embodiments of the trim memberfor the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention;

FIG. 15A illustrates a perspective view of embodiments of the trimmember for the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention;

FIG. 15B illustrates a perspective view of embodiments of the trimmember for the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention;

FIG. 16A illustrates a perspective view of embodiments of the trimmember for the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention;

FIG. 16B illustrates a perspective view of embodiments of the trimmember for the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention;

FIG. 17A illustrates a cross sectional view of embodiments of the trimmember for the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention;

FIG. 17B illustrates a perspective view of embodiments of the trimmember for the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention;

FIG. 18A illustrates a perspective view of embodiments of the trimmember for the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention;

FIG. 18B illustrates a perspective view of embodiments of the trimmember for the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention;

FIG. 19A illustrates a cross sectional view of embodiments of the trimmember for the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention;

FIG. 19B illustrates a cross sectional view of embodiments of the trimmember for the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention;

FIG. 20A illustrates a bottom perspective view of embodiments of thetrim member for the underbed hitch mounting system of the presentinvention;

FIG. 20B illustrates a perspective view of embodiments of the trimmember for the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention;

FIG. 20C illustrates a perspective view of embodiments of the trimmember for the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention;

FIG. 21 illustrates a perspective view of trim members for the underbedhitch mounting system of the present invention; and

FIG. 22 illustrates a perspective view of trim members for the underbedhitch mounting system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the presentteachings, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilizedand structural and functional changes may be made without departing fromthe respective scope of the present teachings. Moreover, features of thevarious embodiments may be combined, switched, or altered withoutdeparting from the scope of the present teachings, e.g., features ofeach embodiment disclosed herein may be combined, switched, or replacedwith features of the other embodiments disclosed herein. As such, thefollowing description is presented by way of illustration only andshould not limit in any way the various alternatives and modificationsthat may be made to the illustrated embodiments and still be within thespirit and scope of the present teachings.

As used herein, the words “example” and “exemplary” mean an instance, orillustration. The words “example” or “exemplary” do not indicate a keyor preferred aspect or embodiment. The word “or” is intended to beinclusive rather an exclusive, unless context suggests otherwise. As anexample, the phrase “A employs B or C,” includes any inclusivepermutation (e.g., A employs B; A employs C; or A employs both B and C).As another matter, the articles “a” and “an” are generally intended tomean “one or more” unless context suggest otherwise.

FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, 2C, 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate embodiments fora structural frame member 20 for an underbed hitch mounting system 10.The underbed hitch mounting system 10 may be used with towing vehiclesthat allow for selectively accommodating either a fifth wheel hitch or agooseneck hitch. Trailer hitches, such as a gooseneck or fifth wheelhitches may be mounted to a truck bed. These types of hitches are oftenmounted beneath the truck bed (see FIG. 9) in conjunction with thetruck's own frame rails (See FIG. 6), such as with cross members orrails, for example.

The underbed hitch mounting system 10 may include at least one railmount or cross member 30 and at least one mid rail or adapter plate 40.For example, the mounting system 10 may include two rail mounts 30 andone mid rail or adapter plate 40. The rails 20 may be configured tosupport a gooseneck hitch or a fifth wheel hitch (not shown). Typicalfifth wheel hitches may include a plurality of legs to connect the hitchto a vehicle. While the underbed hitch mounting system 10 may be shownand described as having two rail mounts 30 and one mid rail or adapterplate 40, it is to be understood that there may be any appropriatenumber of rails or adapter plates and it should not be limited to thatshown and described herein.

The rail mounts 30 may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as agenerally tubular, square or rectangular shape. Each rail mount 30 maybe attached to a rail member 32 which may include one or more sockets 34(See FIG. 7). The sockets 34 may be of any appropriate shaper or size,such as a generally ovular, circular or rectangular shape. The sockets34 may be configured to receive and support the legs of a fifth wheelhitch. The legs may be secured to the rails 32 through the sockets 34 byany appropriate means, such as by fasteners, being welded, or the like.

The rails 32 may include connecting holes or mounting apertures 36 (FIG.7). The mounting apertures 36 may be of any appropriate shape or size,such as a generally circular, ovular or rectangular shape. There may beany number of appropriate mounting apertures 36 and should not belimited to that shown and described herein.

The mounting apertures 36 may be utilized for connecting another memberto the rails 32, such as the frame mount brackets 50 (see FIGS. 7, 8Aand 8B). The mounting apertures 36 may also be used to connect the rails32 of the hitch mounting system 10 to the underbed of the towing vehicleframe. For example, the rails 32 may be connected to the towing vehicleframe, such as underneath the truck bed (FIG. 7).

The rails 32 may include one or more frame mount brackets 50 (FIGS. 4,5, 6, and 7). The frame mount brackets 50 may be utilized for connectingthe rails 32 to the frame 52. The rails 32 may be connected to the framemount brackets 50 by any appropriate means, such as with fasteners,welding or the like. The frame mount brackets 50 may be of anyappropriate shape or size, such as a general L-shape, rectangular plateor the like. The frame mount brackets 50 may be sized and shaped toengage a vehicle frame.

Typical vehicle frames 52 may include two parallel steel members (FIG.6). An end of the structural frame member 20 may connect to a firstmember of the frame 52 and an opposite end of the structural framemember 20 may connect to a second member of the vehicle frame 52. Therail mounts 30 and rails 32 may extend between the frame mount brackets50. The rail mounts 30 and rails 32 may be of a length sufficient tospan the distance between the frame mount brackets 50 when thosebrackets engage the vehicle framework 52. The frame mount brackets 50may form a generally L-shaped bracket to engage the frame 52. The framemount brackets 50 may be attached to the frame 52 by any approaprtiemeans, such as with fasteners, welding or the like.

The mid rail or adapter plate 40 may be of any appropriate shape orsize, such as a generally rectangular or tubular shape that may span thelength between the rail mounts 30 (FIGS. 1A-C4). The mid rail or adapterplate 40 may be configured to connect to the rail mounts 30. The midrail or adapter plate 40 may be attached to the rails by any appropriatemeans, such as with fasteners, welding or the like. Additionally, theadapter plate 40 may be a generally continuous and uniform monolithicconstruction with the rail mounts 30.

The adapter plate 40 may be of a one piece construction or may includeseveral sections that may be secured together by welding, fasteners orthe like. When the mid rail 40 is connected to the rail mounts 30, therail mounts 30 may be approximately flush with and parallel to oneanother.

The mid rail 40 may also include a base member 46. The base member 46may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally square,rectangular or tubular shape. The base member 46 may be a plate and maybe attached to the bottom of the mid rail 40. The base member 46 may beattached to the mid rail 40 by any appropriate means, such as bywelding, fasteners or the like. The base member 46 may also be securedto the rail mounts 30, such as on the underside of the rail mounts 30(FIG. 1B). In one embodiment, the base member 46 may have a continuous Htype shape having portions that extend along the bottom of the railmounts 30 and a portion that extends along the bottom of the mid rail40. The base member 46 may have a shape that extends passed the edges ofthe bottom of the mid rail 40 as illustrated by FIG. 1B.

The mid rail 40 may include a receiver 42 that may be configured toreceive a hitch ball. For example, the receiver may be a hitch ballsocket that may be configured to receive the hitch ball. The hitch ballsocket 42 may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generallycylindrical shape. The hitch ball socket 42 may be located at anyappropatie position on the adapter plate 40, such as the approximatecenter of the adapter plate 40. For example, the hitch ball socket 42may be configured to receive a removable hitch ball with spring-loadedball bearings. It should be appreciated, however, that the receptaclemay be configured to receive any appropriate type of hitch ball andshould not be limited to that described herein.

The hitch ball socket 42 may include a raised collar 48. The raisedcollar 48 may be of any appropatie shape or size, such as one that mayextend above and approximately perpendicularly to the surface of theadapter plate 40. The raised collar 48 may protrude through or beaccessible through an aperture in the bed of a vehicle.

The underbed hitch mounting system 10 may utilize a puck mounting systemwhereby the trailer hitch may be installed in the pickup truck bed withonly four small holes (not shown). Utilizing a puck mounting system mayprovide uninhibited use of the truck bed when the hitch is dismounted.The puck mounting system may also provide for a wider platform andmounting surface, which increases the stability. The puck mountingsystem may be used with any appropriate trailer hitch mounting kit, suchas those that utilize rail mounts 30 or cross members for example, suchas with the “Signature Series” produced and sold by Cequent.

The underbed hitch mounting system 10 may include at least two railmounts or cross members 30. The cross members 30 may include rails 32and sockets 34 for attachment with a puck or receiving member. The crossmembers 30 may be attached to the vehicle framework 52 by anyappropriate means, such as with fasteners, by welding or the like.

Holes may be drilled in the truck bed corresponding to the locations ofthe sockets 34 in the rails 32 and the hitch ball socket 42. A fifthwheel hitch may be removably connected to the sockets 34 in the rails 32through the holes located in the truck bed. A hitch ball may beremovably connected to the hitch ball socket 42 through the hole in thetruck bed, whereby a gooseneck hitch may be utilized.

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C illustrate an embodiment of the underbed hitchmounting system 10. The rail mounts 30 are made from bar stock weldedtubing or sheet metal parts. The bar stock may be machined or heattreated. The bar stock material may be used at frame mounting points andfifth wheel attachment areas with welded tubing or sheet metal parts.This may allow the system to meat normal layout constraints of existingvehicle frame configurations but also meat strength requirements forconnection to the frame and support for the appropriate fifth wheelhitch or gooseneck assembly. Further, the use of bar stock and pressbroken sheet metal allows for a quick production lead time and lowertooling costs. In one embodiment, the rail mounts 30 and mid rail 40 aremade of sheet metal material and the rail members 32 are made of a solidbar stock material that has been heat treated and machined.

The rail mounts may have a generally rectangular cross section and themid rail 40 has a C-shaped cross section and extends between the railmounts 30. The base plate 46 extends under the mid rail 40 and extendsalong at least a portion of the lengths of the rail mounts 30.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C illustrate another embodiment of the underbed hitchmounting system 10. The mid rail 40 and rail mounts 30 are generallymonolithically formed. The rail mounts 30 may be made of folded sheetmetal and formed into generally C-shaped frame members wherein the baseplate 46 may be a tube steel or C-shaped frame that extends under themid rail 40 and under and within the rail mounts 30.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate another embodiment of the underbed hitchmounting system 10. The adapter plate 40 and rail mounts 30 include atop portion 60 (FIG. 3C). The top portion 60 may be generallymonolithically formed. The top portion 60 may be attached to a bottomportion 62 that is formed into structural tube framing from folded sheetmetal. The bottom portion 62 may also be monolithically formed. Thebottom portion 62 may be generally monolithically formed separate fromthe top portion 60. The top and bottom portions 60, 62 may be made offolded sheet metal and formed into frame members wherein the adapterplate 40 and rail mounts 30 may be formed into tube steel framing. Thebase plate 46 may be a tube steel or C-shaped frame that extends underand within the mid rail 46 and under a portion of the lengths of therail mounts 30. As illustrated by FIGS. 3A and 3B, the top and bottomportions may be attached together along cantilevered portions 70 thatextend from a perimeter of the tube portions of the structural framingmember 10 and may be attached together along vertical portions 72 thatextend from a perimeter portion of the structural framing member 10. Thecantilevered portions 70 may extend generally perpendicular relative tothe vertical portions 72 of attachment. The cantilevered portions mayextend from a portion of the perimeters of the mid rail 40 and railmounts 30.

In the embodiments illustrated by the figures, the folded sheet metalmay be made of various separately formed pieces of folded sheet metalthat may be welded together in a structural framing orientation that maysupport the forces required by a gooseneck or 5^(th) wheel hitch.

FIGS. 4, 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F, 5G, and 5H illustrate various schematicviews of alternate embodiments of possible attachments between thestructural frame 52 of the vehicle, the rail member 32, and the framemount brackets 50 of underbed hitch mounting system 10 of the presentinvention

FIGS. 10-23 illustrate various embodiments of trim member and a coverthat may be installed along the bed of a vehicle to cover the exposedportions of the underbed hitch mounting system 10. FIG. 10 illustrates abezel or trim member 100 and a cover 110 attached to a corrugated truckbed 130. The trim member 100 and cover 110 include a profile that isconfigured to adapt to the corrugated profile of the truck bed andselectively cover the exposed portions of the sockets 34 in the rails 32and the hitch ball socket 42 of the underbed hitch mounting assemblysystem 10. The cover 110 may be snap fit to the trim member 100 and thetrim member may have an aperture 120 for receiving the sockets 34, 42therein. The trim member 100 and cover 110 may be made from anymaterials such as polymers, plastic, rubber or the like. The trim member100 and cover 110 may be injection molded that follows the shape of thebed 130. The center portion of the trim member 100 may be raised tofollow the contours of the corrugated profile of the bed 130 and mayincludes structural support when attached to the vehicle bed. The trimmember 100 and cover 110 may be symmetrical and may cover any edgesexposed or cut into the bed of the vehicle. In another embodiment, thetrim member 100 may include a trim profile and the cover 110 member mayinclude a cover profile wherein the trim profile and the cover profilemay be complimentary to a corrugated profile of the bed of the vehicle.See FIGS. 10-15B.

In one embodiment, as illustrated by FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C, the trimmember 100 may include a gap 140 within the trim along a center portion150 to receive a raise portion of the contours of the vehicle bedtherein (see FIGS. 10, 11, 12A, 12B, 12C, 16A and 16B). In anotherembodiment, the trim member 100 may not include a gap 140 (See FIGS. 15Aand 15B).

The trim member 100 may include an upper flange 160 the generallysurrounds the perimeter of the trim member 100. A portion of the upperflange 160 may be positioned along a top surface of the bed 130. Thetrim member 100 may include a lower flange 165 that extends from aportion of the trim member 100. The lower flange 165 may be positionedalong either sides of the trim member 100 along the center portion 150and may be positionable along a bottom surface of the bed 130. The lowerflange 165 may also be along the gap 140 in the upper flange 160. Thelower flange 165 may be placed within the gap 140 as the gap 140 maybetween the upper flange 160 and the lower flange 165. The lower flanges165 may allow the trim member 100 to be snap fit within the bed 130.

The trim member 100 may include a recessed wall 170 having a firstheight 172 along a first portion of the perimeter and a second height174 along a second portion of the perimeter such that the second height174 is greater than the first height 172. The gap 140 may be positionedalong the recessed wall along the portion with the second height 174.The trim member 100 can be snap fit within an opening in the bed of thevehicle. The cover 110 may be snap fit to the trim member 100. The cover110 may include a finger hole 190 for a user to easily attach or removethe cover 110 from the trim member 100.

In one embodiment, the first height 172 and the second height 174 of therecessed wall 170 may be generally equal wherein the upper flange 160includes a rim elevation having a common distance from the surface ofthe corrugated bed 130. See FIGS. 16A, 16B, 18A, and 18B. Alternatively,the rim elevation of the upper flange 160 maybe recessed within the bed130 such that the rim elevation of the upper flange 160 is generallyaligned with the surface of the bed 130. See FIGS. 20A, 20B, and 20C. Insome embodiment, the trim member 100 may include a flap portion 180 thatextends between raised portions of the vehicle bed. The falp portion 180may be positioned under and against the surface of the bed (see FIGS.17A, 17B, 18A, 18B, 19A, and 19B) or the flap portion 180 may bepositioned over and against the surface of the bed (see FIGS. 20A, 20B,and 20C). These embodiments may be used with various bed profiles andaligned along the areas of the vehicle bed as illustrated by FIGS. 21and 22.

Although the embodiments of the present teachings have been illustratedin the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detaileddescription, it is to be understood that the present teachings are notto be limited to just the embodiments disclosed, but that the presentteachings described herein is capable of numerous rearrangements,modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of theclaims hereafter. The claims as follows are intended to include allmodifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope ofthe claims or the equivalent thereof.

Having thus described the invention, we claim:
 1. An underbed hitchmounting system comprising: a structural frame member operablyconnectable to a frame of a vehicle under a load bed of the vehicle,comprising: first and second rail mounts each having a pair of railmembers extending therefrom and inserted into the first and second railmounts; a mid rail connected to the first and second rail mounts; asocket positioned on each of the rail members, each socket engageablewith a receiving member; and a hitch ball socket positioned on the midrail, the hitch ball socket engageable with a hitch; wherein the railmembers are made from at least one of bar stock, welded tubing and sheetmetal.
 2. The underbed hitch mounting system of claim 1, wherein therail mounts have a generally rectangular cross section and the mid railhas a generally C-shaped cross section that extends between the railmounts.
 3. The underbed hitch mounting system of claim 1 wherein the midrail and first and second rail mounts are monolithically formed.
 4. Theunderbed hitch mounting system of claim 1, wherein a base plate extendsunder the mid rail and extends along at least a portion of the first andsecond rail mounts.
 5. The underbed hitch mounting system of claim 4,wherein the first and second rail mounts are generally C-shaped framemembers and the base plate is a generally C-shaped frame member thatextends under the mid rail and under and within the first and secondrail mounts.
 6. The underbed hitch mounting system of claim 1, whereinthe mid rail and first and second rail mounts include a top portion thatis generally monolithically formed and a bottom portion that isgenerally monolithically formed wherein the top portion is formedseparate from the bottom portion and then attached to a bottom portion.7. The underbed hitch mounting system of claim 6, wherein the top andbottom portions are made of folded sheet metal and include a base platethat extends under and within the mid rail and under a portion of thefirst and second rail mounts.
 8. A trim and cover assembly comprising: atrim member; and a cover member that is selectively attached to the trimmember; wherein the trim and cover member is installed along the loadbed of a vehicle to cover at least one of the socket and hitch ballsocket of the underbed hitch mounting system of claim
 1. 9. A trim andcover assembly to be installed along a bed of a vehicle comprising: atrim member; and a cover member that is selectively attached to the trimmember.
 10. The trim and cover assembly of claim 9, wherein the trimmember is attached to a corrugated portion of the bed of the vehicle.11. The trim and cover assembly of claim 9, wherein the trim memberincludes a trim profile and the cover member includes a cover profile,wherein the trim profile and the cover profile are complimentary to acorrugated profile of the bed of the vehicle.
 12. The trim and coverassembly of claim 9, wherein the trim member includes an upper flange,wherein a portion of the upper flange is positioned along a top surfaceof the bed and a lower flange wherein a portion of the lower flange ispositioned along a bottom surface of the bed.
 13. The trim and coverassembly of claim 12, wherein the upper flange includes a space betweenthe upper flange and the lower flange.
 14. The trim and cover assemblyof claim 13, wherein the trim member includes a recessed wall having afirst height along a first portion of the perimeter and a second heightalong a second portion of the perimeter such that the second height isgreater than the first height and the space between the upper flange andthe lower flange is positioned along the recessed wall along the portionwith the second height.
 15. The trim and cover assembly of claim 9,wherein the trim member includes a recessed wall having a first heightalong a first portion of the perimeter and a second height along asecond portion of the perimeter such that the second height is greaterthan the first height.
 16. The trim and cover assembly of claim 9,wherein the trim member is snap fit within an opening in the bed of thevehicle.
 17. The trim and cover assembly of claim 9, wherein the coveris snap fit to the trim member.
 18. The trim and cover assembly of claim9, wherein the trim member includes an aperture to receive at least oneof the socket and hitch socket.
 19. The trim and cover assembly of claim9, wherein a center portion of the trim member is raised to follow thecontours of the bed.
 20. The trim and cover assembly of claim 9 whereinthe trim member and cover include generally symmetrical profiles. 21.The trim and cover assembly of claim 9, wherein the trim member includesa flap portion that extends between a plurality of raised portions ofthe bed of the vehicle.
 22. An underbed hitch mounting systemcomprising: a structural frame member operably connectable to a frame ofa vehicle under a load bed of the vehicle, comprising: first and secondrail mounts; first and second rail members each extending from andinserted into the first rail mount; a mid rail connected to the firstand second rail mounts; a socket positioned on each of the first andsecond rail members, each socket engageable with a receiving member; anda hitch ball socket positioned on the mid rail, the hitch ball socketengageable with a hitch; wherein the first and second rail members aremade from at least one of bar stock and sheet metal.